“I love fall.” Might be the actual slogan for fall, literally everybody says it, all the time. The color of the leaves, the apple picking, the cool crisp weather is literally ever person’s actual response when I ask them why. You know who doesn’t exactly love fall? Your skin. Skin is such a tricky cell, the largest in our bodies, and finicky af. When we transition from summer to fall, in the DC area, we know we’re about to go from a swampy atmosphere to cooler, drier, sometimes damp weather. Our skin of course takes notes, and often needs a little TLC. That is why this week I headed over Sken Spa in Arlington for a little bit of skin love.

Sken Spa is named after the Swedish word for glow, which you literally will when you leave. This speciality spa is new to the Arlington area and soon to become a staple for anyone who literally loves glowing skin — but those who also want to keep the wrinkles away.

Isn’t the waiting room just so chic?

I headed over on a particularly damp November morning, this morning, for my initial Dermalinfusion facial, I’ll get to what it is shortly. To be honest I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I’d never heard about this type of procedure until I booked it. I, like most people are used to traditional facials that are more massage like, yet result driven.

Moving on, Dermal Infusion is a newer technology that exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with “condition-specific” serums targeted at different skin concerns. It uses a diamond tip, yes diamond, to extract and infuse. The photo on the far right shows all the dirt that was actually extracted. The feeling on you skin is a little odd feeling, almost like sandpaper being rubbed up on your skin. However, the results are anything but sandy. While I was in they worked on my face, neck, and lips.

I left the spa with my skin feeling refreshed, clean, and it was actually glowing. I do have to say my skin is pretty good on a day to day basis, and usually has a bit of a dew (good genes), however it hasn’t glowed like this outside of a killer mexican sunburn last winter. They had also used the machine on my neck… which my gawd, not only was it a nice little lymph drainage massage, but it left my neck skin TIGHT. Which in the world of social media and us looking down at our phones all the time is….a tight neck is heaven sent. My lips also felt refreshed and plump after.

I almost forgot to mention one of the best part of the procedures. When all was said and done it only lasted about 20 minutes, I was literally out the door in 30 minutes. I’m usually pressed for time, so I enjoyed that it didn’t take long to actually leave a facial in that short of time with amazing results.

Try it, and then tell me all about it… we can even compare how dirty our water was.

When you are an anxious person, you feel as though you move through calm to fear in the matter of seconds. Fear of the future, of the unknown, fear of the worst possible thing. When you go through an anxiety attack or are overcome with anxiety, your body tenses, your brain fogs up, and you feel a flash of panic hit your entire being. Fear of course travels with its life partner depression, the two together are havoc wrecking. They’re both reminders of the sadness of the past, the presence of the unknown, quite the combo... no? Some learn this through years of work, some are still in the shadow of both, and some are still processing that information. I learned recently though, that the best thing to do when panic hits is to be present in the anxiety, tune into the moment. Breathe and surrender to the moment — after all, you really can’t control it. 🌿 I hope this helps anyone who might need it.

Eight Science Policies at Stake This Election Day || Regardless of where you live in the US, literally every state is facing an environmental challenge. (See those here.) It is imperative that we take in to account the environmental issues that we are facing, as a younger generation we will have to live with environmental policies instilled or dismantled by 70 year olds who probably don’t care.

Three early races to watch || Look out Virginians, Virginia 10 is a big one to watch with Comstock facing off vs. Wexton. Other races mentioned include Kentucky’s 6th Congressional and the Indiana Senate Race.

So, How was India? || My dear friend Joanna, of Wandering Wellness, just came back from a two week trek through India. I got to hear first hand details of her journey through the majestic kingdom, I’m honored to share her journey.

The Lost Art of the Phone Call || I love talking on the phone, for a while there thanks to texting I lost that love, but there is nothing as sweet as hoping on a call with a pal and sharing a laugh, a cry, or spilling the tea.